Brunch is pretty much the perfect way to start a lazy Sunday. Whether you’re an in-towner or visiting Columbus, you’ve got to take the time to slow down your pace and enjoy the simple things in life. While I’m not really a breakfast food guy, I love brunch, because I can get a sandwich or soup while my co-diners can order omelets and waffles. The added bonus of brunch: it’s a socially acceptable way to have a cocktail before noon. Here are my three favorite brunch beverages in Columbus:

Due Amici – Bloody Marys
How awesome is this: You walk into this upscale, loungy spot for brunch, find a plush booth and while you’re waiting for your dining companions to arrive, a server wheels over a cart with all the fixings to make your perfect, customized bloody mary! Order an extra spicy (Tabasco, pepperoncini and pickle spear) for an added kick to your meal, or steer to classic (celery stalk.) Life is good. If you’re not a fan of tomato juice, Due Amici also serves mimosas and peach bellinis at brunch – thought I’ve never known anyone to pass up the bloody mary cart.

The Jury Room – The Nina West
Reopening earlier this year, the Jury Room has put a new spin on Columbus’ oldest restaurant. Serving hearty brunch staples with a twist, there is also a nice bar menu, to indulge a little more. One of the most fanciful drinks, (available for lunch and dinner, too) is the Nina West, named for Columbus’ premiere drag queen, comes complete with pop rocks and a candy cigarette. Fanciful, tasty, a bit tacky – perfect for a fun brunch.

Northstar Café – Shooting Star
OK, this one is perfect for teetotalers, and it also leaves you feeling like you’ve got the energy to conquer the world on your day off. Northstar Café, with locations in the Short North, Clintonville and at Easton, is a brunch mainstay in Columbus. While there are some boozy drink options, I always steer to the Shooting Star – and invigorating, organic blend of orange juice, carrot juice, lemon and ginger. And let’s be honest, I also grab a mug for a never-ending cup of eye-opening, mild coffee.

What would you add to the list?

Time Warner Cable is airing a new Local On Demand program, Play. Dine. Shop. , all about unearthing Columbus gems and showing them off. If you’re a local Time Warner subscriber, you’ll find the shows on channel 1111.

The post below was written by Amy Weirick of Weirick Communications , who shares a peek into the first episode that features her girls’ day out in the Short North Arts District.

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Girls’ day out in the Short North Arts District
by Amy Weirick, Weirick Communications

Partnering with Experience Columbus to help promote our city to visitors means I’m always on the prowl for unforgettable experiences that make Columbus special. I’ve gotten to know memorable restaurants tucked away in charming neighborhoods, funky shops jammed with goodies you won’t find anywhere else and places that put you at the center of the artistic process, letting you design something to take home.

Play. Dine. Shop. , a new show on Time Warner Cable’s Local on Demand, is all about these experiences. In the first episode, three of my most intrepid girlfriends join me to check out some cool spots in the Short North .

We kicked off the day with a fantastic breakfast of turkey and sweet potato hash, ricotta pancakes, fresh juices and amazing scones at Northstar Café . Then we had a blast shopping at Flower Child . Room after room is packed with fun retro furniture, clothes and accessories from the 1950s-80s. We tried on crazy 1970s sunglasses and hung out in what my friend swears was her mom’s living room in 1962.

Substance For Fashion Conscious People

After shopping, it was on to Betty’s Fine Food & Spirits for an awesome lunch where I enjoyed the warm mushroom and goat cheese salad. We hit some more great Short North shops, including Substance , where we designed and made our own t-shirts. That was unforgettable - and so much fun.

What better way to wrap up a day with friends than with Jeni’s ice cream ? We sampled dozens of flavors and settled on ordering our faves, including goat cheese with sour cherries. Amazing.

The show featuring our day in the Short North will be available to view on May 15, and new shows about special Columbus spots will be loaded on Time Warner channel 1111 every few weeks. Tune in and you might discover a new Columbus treasure!